For International Youth Day 2024, we’re delighted to announce a new series called “Where Are They Now?” At Cassie + Friends, youth are at the heart of everything we do, and we love being able to support them as they continue their journey. 

This week, we’re so excited to share an update from Tyler Mah and Gauri Raj! Check out their updates here  Would you like to share your story or an update with the Cassie + Friends team? Reach out to Sam at samantha@cassieandfriends.ca for more information!

You may remember Tyler Mah as the winner of our 2021 Youth Leader Award or from his feature story in the Toronto Star as a Team C+F Run Ambassador. We caught up with Tyler to learn about what he’s been up to over the past few years! 

Hi, I’m Tyler! I’m 15 years old and I was diagnosed with Enthesitis Related Arthritis (ERA) three years ago, a form of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Navigating the journey of JIA is rarely easy and often has many challenges. Despite occasional and unpredictable pain, these past two and a half years have been very stable for me. The biologic Infliximab has been a large factor in the improved quality of life I have experienced. Now with Infliximab, I have infusions once every two months and in a new clinic near home. It is super convenient. Since my pain is mostly under control, this past school year I was able to focus on school and play sports again like volleyball and baseball. I also started working out at the gym which has become one of my favourite hobbies. Overall, I have enjoyed the ability to stay active even on tough days. 

I’m really proud about completing a 4-day canoe trip in Algonquin this past July. Although it was challenging portaging and paddling every day, it is a testament to how far I have come since my diagnosis. Looking ahead, I am excited to start grade 11 in September. I enjoy learning at school, especially the sciences, and it gives me a positive focus amidst managing my ERA.

For any other young people who are navigating the difficult journey of rheumatic diseases, my advice to you would be to share your story with others. It may help them understand you better because they may not always be able to tell you are in pain. Additionally, it could also encourage others to persevere in the midst of their struggles.

Up next, we’re so pleased to share an update from Gauri Raj! You may remember Gauri from her Cassie + Friends blog post, where she shared her journey with Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS) and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Here’s some more from Gauri about what she’s been up to. 

A couple of years ago I shared a blog post with the C+F community. In that blog post I shared my life life-changing experiences that I had to deal with when I got diagnosed with JIA and MAS. I am happy to share that I have been in remission for the past 2 years and it has been great. Having arthritis since I was 10 years old has been a difficult process that no ten-year-old should have to go through. With constant appointments, pain relief routines, medications, mental health struggles, it was a lot for me. Now, I am 24 years old and have been off my medication for 2 years. I never believed that I would get to this point where I would not feel the pain I used to feel for over ten years, having to start and stop taking medications, or go to multiple doctor appointments. My rheumatologist that I only visit once a year now  has been super helpful and gave me hope that my arthritis may never flare up again since I had it at a young age. This makes me happy and hopeful that I can continue taking care of my body to try my best to prevent it from flaring.

One thing to take away from my experience is that even though some days seem tougher than the others, use my story as an example that things have a chance to be better. As much as you may be facing pain in your body and your mind, it’s important to show love to yourself and be hopeful. Prioritize yourself and fuel your body with positivity and healthy foods.Learn and understand your body and your triggers, and that will help you make things a little easier. It’s more simpler said than done, but if you really try to learn about yourself and your body there will be a positive outcome.